Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Welcome to the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, where we go far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruises to explore the really cool places, people, and activities that adventurous travelers crave. If your idea of a great vacation is sitting on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, you’re in the wrong place. However, if you’re like me, and a beach resort vacation sounds like torture, stick around. You’ve found your tribe.
My name is Jason Elkins, and as an adventure travel marketing consultant and tour operator myself, I am on a mission to impact the lives of adventure travelers, the tour operators they hire, and the communities that host them, creating deeply meaningful experiences that make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
Are you ready to discover your next great adventure, whether that looks something like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, SCUBA diving in the South Pacific, or hot air ballooning in Turkey? Then you’ll be happy to know that each episode of the Big World Made Small Podcast features a fascinating interview with an adventure travel expert that has agreed to share, with us, their own personal stories, favorite adventure destinations, and even some incredibly helpful tips and tricks they’ve learned while in the field. I trust that by the end of each episode you’ll feel like booking a ticket to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these amazing places, and getting to know the incredible people that live there.
I’ll be your guide as we explore this amazing planet and its people on the Big World Made Small podcast. I am a former US Army paratrooper, third generation commercial hot air balloon pilot, paramotor pilot, advanced open water SCUBA diver, and ex-Montana fly fishing guide and lodge manager. I have managed boutique adventure tour operation businesses in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, off-shore in Belize, the Adirondacks in New York, and the desert of Arizona. I also spent nearly a decade with Orvis International Travel, leading a talented team of tour operation experts, putting together and hosting amazing fly fishing and adventure travel excursions around the world. I have tapped into my experience and network of travel pros to put together a weekly series of exclusive expert interviews that I am excited to share with you.
For the last couple of years I have lived a fully nomadic lifestyle, feeding my passion for exploration, creating amazing adventures, and meeting some of the most fascinating people along the way. I record every episode while traveling, so in a sense you’ll be joining me on my journey. Let’s discover some great adventures together and make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
And, don’t forget to take a quick trip over to our website at bigworldmadesmall.com and join our adventure travel community, where you’ll benefit from new episode announcements, exclusive adventure travel opportunities, and special access to the experts you’ve met on the show. You can also follow us on social media, using the links in the show notes below. And, if you’re getting value out of the show please help us grow by sharing it with your friends, family, and anyone else you know that wants to get far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruise ships, the next time they travel.
I’ll publish another episode soon. Until then, keep exploring. It’s the best way to make a big world feel just a bit smaller.
https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/podcast
Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Adventure Travel with Jerry Elkins - Host's Father and Adventurer
Guest Bio
Jerry Elkins is a lifelong adventurer whose journey has spanned skies, caves, coastlines, and countless open roads. He began flying hot air balloons in 1979 and, for nearly a decade, made his living as a traveling balloon barnstormer — eventually becoming the first pilot to fly in all 50 U.S. states. But Jerry’s adventures go far beyond the basket. Over the past four decades, he’s explored underwater worlds through SCUBA diving, delved into deep caves, traveled extensively, and built lasting connections through storytelling. As the second of four generations of Elkins balloon pilots, Jerry brings a rich legacy of curiosity, courage, and a deep love for the outdoors to every experience he shares.
Show Summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with his father, Jerry, about a life defined by exploration, personal growth, and family legacy. From early days in Wyoming to adventures across land, air, and sea, their conversation paints a vivid picture of what it means to live fully and intentionally.
They reflect on memorable childhood moments, the power of storytelling, and how a spirit of curiosity led Jerry into ballooning, cave exploration, SCUBA diving, and beyond. With heartfelt honesty, Jerry shares lessons learned from a lifetime of adventure — and Jason explores how those moments have shaped his own path. Together, they celebrate the value of memories, connection, and embracing the unknown.
Key Takeaways
✓ Adventure is about personal growth, not just thrills.
✓ Childhood experiences often shape our worldview and identity.
✓ Embracing discomfort can lead to meaningful transformation.
✓ Strong communities and friendships enrich the journey of life.
✓ Life’s most treasured possessions are often memories, not things.
✓ Writing offers a powerful way to preserve and reflect on experiences.
✓ Staying present opens the door to unexpected discoveries.
✓ The path of life is a continuous cycle of learning and adapting.
✓ Parental support can inspire a lifelong spirit of exploration.
✓ It’s never too late to pursue new creative passions.
Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.
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